How to Cook the Best Pan-Fried Burgers on the Stove

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground chicken

Ground turkey is leaner, while ground chicken is often less expensive.

cheddar cheese

🥗Healthier: reduced-fat cheese

💰Cheaper: processed cheese

Reduced-fat cheese cuts calories, while processed cheese is often cheaper.

burger buns

🥗Healthier: whole grain buns

💰Cheaper: white bread

Whole grain buns offer more fiber, while white bread is often less expensive.

ketchup

🥗Healthier: homemade tomato sauce

💰Cheaper: store-brand ketchup

Homemade sauce is fresher, while store brands are budget-friendly.

Portion out the beef into four equal portions using a bench scraper.

Dip hands in a bowl of cold water before handling the beef to keep it cold.

Form each portion into a ball and gently smash it down to about 1 inch thickness.

Make a hole in the center of each patty with your thumb and press it down to shape it further.

Cover the formed patties with plastic wrap and chill them while preparing the next steps.

Spread butter on each half of the hamburger buns and toast them in a well-seasoned cast iron pan.

Clean the pan with a damp paper towel to remove any crumbs before cooking the burgers.

Heat the cast iron pan to medium to medium-high heat.

Salt and pepper both sides of the chilled burger patties just before cooking.

Add a generous pad of butter to the hot pan before placing the burgers in it.

Cook the burgers for about 3 to 4 minutes per side without moving them to achieve a nice brown sear.

Check for doneness by looking for brown edges and a sear on the bottom of the burgers.

Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature: aim for 130-135°F for medium rare, 160-165°F for well done.

If using cheese, turn off the heat, add a slice of cheese on top of each burger, and cover the pan to melt the cheese.

Remove the burgers from the pan and prepare to plate them with your favorite toppings.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens